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IU Summer REU Research Projects at the Indiana University Cyclotron Facility/Nuclear Theory Center
Here are a few examples of potential REU research projects based at the Indiana University Cyclotron Facility/Nuclear Theory Center.
Small Angle Neutron Scattering (SANS) Studies of Nanostructured Materials (Prof.
Baxter, Physics and IUCF)
SANS is a technique that probes structure of materials over length scales from 1 to 100 nm. It is particularly well suited to hydrogenous systems such as surfactant or polymer blends, hydrogen-storage materials, and complex fluids. The student will use the SANS instrument at LENS in collaboration with faculty members in physics, chemistry, and geology who are interested in these systems and have suitable candidate materials ready. Prof. Baxter has supervised three REU students in the past three years.
Recent projects in medical physics (with medical physicists at MPRI)
Linear Multi-Ionization Chamber Array Feasibility for Proton Therapy
MAGIC Gel Dosimetry
Development of a Computer-Controlled Asymmetric X-ray Collimator
Feasibility of Developing an X-ray Based Quality Assurance Tool for
Patient Proton Range Compensators
Many Body Nuclear Dynamics (Dr. Sylvie Hudan and Prof. Romualdo DeSouza, IUCF and IUB Chemistry):
Many body nuclear dynamics examines the nuclear equation of state and the interplay between the statistical and dynamical break-up of nuclei under extreme conditions of density, temperature, shape, and isospin (neutron-proton asymmetry). Recent projects include Studying Nucleon Transport in Hot Nuclear Matter and Studying Mid-Peripheral Heavy-Ion Collisions. Dr. Hudan is a research scientist in the Nuclear Chemistry group of Prof. Romualdo de Souza and has supervised three REU students in the past five years.
The aCORN Neutron Beta Decay Experiment (Dr. Ed Stephenson, IUCF):
The purpose of the aCORN experiment is to measure the correlation coefficient between the electron and anti-neutrino momenta in neutron beta decay. Precision measurements help to test several assumptions of the standard model of particle physics. REU participants have helped to build and test a number of components of the aCORN detector to prepare it for its runs at the NIST reactor. Dr. Stephenson has mentored many REU students in the past two decades, including four in the past four years.
Tracking Detectors for FINeSE, the Fermilab Intense Neutrino Scattering Initiative (Prof. Tayloe, IUCF)
The student will work with Prof. Tayloe on the design, construction, and evaluation of neutrino tracking modules for FINeSE, a neutrino scattering initiative that is developing a proposal for a 10 ton detector located 100 meters from the new Booster neutrino source. The student will develop skills related to the design, construction, calibration, and evaluation of tracking capabilities for state-of-the-art neutrino detectors. The project will be based at IUCF and will make use of a new 200-MeV proton beam line configured for the evaluation of new detector concepts.
Recent project: A 3D Liquid Scintillator Neutrino Detector: see the poster abstract for the 2005 APS-DNP meeting in Maui.
Studies of Quark Pair Creation in the Gluon Field (Prof. Adam Szczepaniak, Physics and NTC):
The student will study properties of quark-gluon interactions in Quantum Chromodynamics formulated as a many-body, Hamiltonian system with physical degrees of freedom. The student will investigate the distribution of energy density in presence of quark and antiquark sources and its connection with phenomenological models of hadrons. Professor Szczepaniak has previously supervised five REU students working on theoretical projects in the past five years.Studies of Electron Motion in Two Dimensions (Prof. Tim Londergan, Physics and NTC):
Electrons traveling on 2-D quantum wires exhibit dramatic wave-like interference effects, including bound states in bent wires and resonance phenomena for conduction though narrow channels. The summer student will perform calculations for the analysis of resonances and current flows in new wire geometries. Over a dozen REU students have been involved in theoretical projects with Prof. Londergan (and his collaborator, Prof. Murdock, Tennessee Tech University) in previous summer REU programs at IUCF. This research project also has an experimental component in Prof. Carini’s lab.
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